How Deep Should An Office Desk Be?

When setting up your workspace, whether working in an office or at home, it’s important that you consider finding an office desk that’s as comfortable as possible to maximise your productivity and job satisfaction. You may be surprised to learn that your desk depth is a crucial factor in how you work, although it may seem difficult to know where to start.

In this blog, Furniture At Work explains the importance of having the correct desk depth for your needs, the effects of this on your day-to-day comfort, and how you can make the most of your desk space.

What is the standard desk depth?

In the office furniture industry, there are desk depth standards set based on the minimum amount of space the average person needs to work comfortably. The overall standard desk depth is between 70-90cm – the average is 80cm – but this could vary based on what the desk is used for.

A standard office desk would need to be able to support a keyboard, mouse and one or two monitors to work from. In full, standard office desk sizes are:

• 120cm (w) x 80cm (d)
• 140cm (w) x 80cm (d)
• 180cm (w) x 80cm (d)

Executive desks are often used in receptions. These desks need to be slightly bigger to accommodate both day-to-day work and greeting visitors. Standard sizes for executive desks include:

• 200cm (w) x 100cm (d)
• 220cm (w) x 100cm (d)
• 240cm (w) x 100cm (d)

How do I find the desk depth I need?

When deciding on which desk to purchase, several factors may decide how deep your desk should be. This will primarily be based on the type of work you do and the equipment you need to work. You will need to think about the following:

• How much space you have in your workspace
• How much equipment will need to sit on the desk and how often it will be moved
• Whether the desk is used for more than just work – particularly in home offices

It’s also worth looking into optimising your desk space based on the equipment you plan to use at the desk. Extra storage and laptop/monitor stands can help free up room on your desk, allowing you to work more freely and comfortably in the space.

How to make the most of your desk depth

If you’re finding that you need more room on your desk than you initially thought, don’t panic! You can still make a few changes that will allow you to utilise your workspace as effectively as possible. These could include:

Extra storage: Whether you opt for under-desk or wall storage, having the extra space on your desk can make a world of difference. This could include drawers, shelves, cabinets, and wall mounts. Separating stationary, spare cables, and non-urgent paperwork from the equipment you use every day will ensure stress and clutter-free workspace.

Monitor arms and laptop stands: Elevating either your laptop or monitor can work wonders when looking to expand your desk space. A monitor arm is a mount that allows you to attach your monitor to an adjustable arm above your desk, and a laptop stand works similarly but the stand will still rest on the desk. The adaptable nature of these mounts allows for a more ergonomic desk space that ultimately helps improve your posture and reduces eye strain.

Find the perfect office desk with Furniture at Work

We hope this helpful guide has helped you decide on the desk depth you need to work effectively. We have an incredible collection of office desks to suit everyone, whether you’re looking for a small office desk, a corner desk, or a desk with built-in drawers – we’ve got you covered. Contact us today if you need any more information!